Best Placements Poems
And so it is…
When the trees don’t speak, barely a whisper in the wind,
Wet petals stuck motionless to the ground as if pinned
When there is no language to read in the sky,
Even with all the clouds passing by
And so it is…
When a bird must show you what is wrong
Bellowing out its loud bird song
Yet, to be grateful for…
After all, we cannot ask for more
When something isn’t heard, something else will replace it
When something isn’t seen, there’s all the more pieces to see fit
And so it is….
I hear, I hear, I see and feel for you
Everlasting feelings from my soul, reel with every view
And what I miss along the way
Does not matter in my heart today
tomorrow, or yesterday….
And so it is…
Heidi Sands
6/17/21
Placed among multiple 1st placements in All Yours (Jun17) Poetry Contest.
Categories:
placements, feelings, senses, sound, time,
Form:
Rhyme
Great sun, your day is drawing to a marvelous close.
The horizon seems ablaze as you slowly spill into the turning of night.
Tomorrow we shall see your return,
as you stir sleepy eyes and herald the dawn.
Your arrival brings forth the songbird's call.
Though for now, your departure delivers dreams as we wade into the ether
Knowing that you are gone, but not forgotten..
Beautiful stars, we gaze deeply into your brilliance.
The sheet of darkness dances around your perfect placements.
Wishes and wants whispered towards your travels across the silent sea.
Years and tears have you guided all towards that great shore.
As the chariot of morn arrives, for that brief moment of time
The shimmer of your shine is gone, but not forgotten...
Northern winds in your winter wear,
Whistling as you rush across the barren hills.
All have been held in slowness and slumber
You bring forth a trial of man and also the cries for the new.
As gray gives way, to the colors of tomorrow and the warmth of want.
A chapter closes for three, as your distance grows, gone but not forgotten...
For love is a treasure, one which knows no boundary.
Knows not of time, or of chains and constraints.
It is never ending...
We shall shed a thousand layers
We will hold to one another, even as this earthly realm draws apart.
Gone, but not forgotten....TAH
Categories:
placements, absence, beauty, love,
Form:
Free verse
I want to weep
at the destruction of poetry
that comes now with the use of AI robots
and the fact that cheats are entering
contests on PS
and winning high placements over real poets
how sad is that only some sponsors care
some just don't care
and worst the odd person even supports it
I am not one of those
no AI poem will ever, never, ever place in my contest
see, I do care, I check every single poem
and guess what I know
who you are
this is my created
form that I call fragmented spaces
no robot created it, I did, and several others too
because that is what real poets do, they create
my poems are
written with my own blood, heart and soul
and I am so proud of that and my poetry
how dare you AI users
think you can compare with a real writer
because some sponsor
places your fake poem as a winner, I bet you laugh
that you fooled them into thinking you can write
well, we the contest sponsers who care
are now checking for AI
Categories:
placements, poets, words, writing,
Form:
Free verse
Love is the cacophony of life,
the stillness of your lover’s breath in sleep,
the boa constrictor hug of a grandchild,
and the outstretched arms of Christ.
8/6/2018
2nd place/multiple placements
Faraz Ajmal’s A four line poem on what is love poetry contest
Categories:
placements, love,
Form:
Free verse
As the rain patters on the roof,
It speaks to me, new things to know
Soothing my soul, as darkness falls
Nothing left, but the wind to blow
Patter, patter, a rhythmic tune
May help me sleep into the night
My thoughts a river, in a way
Not as scattered to find what’s right
And as I rest to this new song,
I decide that I will let go
Of the worries sown by the day
Into pleasant dreams, I will flow
As the rain patters on the roof,
Mother Nature becomes my friend
Holding me with such pleasant sound
Just so, my broken heart will mend
Heidi Sands
5/6/21
One of 1st placements in All Yours (May 7) Poetry Contest. Sponsor: Brian Strand
Categories:
placements, appreciation, night, rain, sound,
Form:
Rhyme
Why do I write poetry?
I am sure some people here wonder just why I do!
For my poems were once described as ‘simple’
And to others they are a pile of old pooh
I have learned so much since I started writing
Now I am flying as free as a bird
Despite the ups and downs in my recent life
My poetic ‘voice’ will still be heard
I started writing just two years ago
Now I realise it was a form of stress relief
Since joining soup I’m like a kid in a candy store
A ‘pick n mix’ of poetry - I want to learn more and more
I’ve discovered so many new styles, which one do I chose
Limericks, haiku, rhyme, sonnets
Fabulous fun footles
Alliteration, Abecedarian
Nonets, cinquain, couplets, to name just a few
I can’t believe there are so many forms me to dip into
Many poems have been written to express my emotions
Some works are happy and some are extremely sad
I have a vivid imagination so fiction writes flow from my pen
I might throw a twist in the ending every now and then
Lots are factual poems of things that have really happened to me
An example of this is my run in with that pudding made of sticky toffee!
I endeavour to try and entertain and amuse
But some writes are penned with anger and frustration …
When I’m about to blow a fuse!
I relish the challenges set by the sponsors
I’m more confident and spreading my wings
I love the site of which I am a member
To students at school the site’s praises I loudly sing
But I don’t like the current undercurrent of bad feeling
Now its no names on the poems you’ll see
I’ve never liked names on the contests
But others will strongly disagree
Let sponsors judge the way they feel
We ALL get high or low placements, but let's not make a big deal
The most important thing is that my poems get read
(But of course I like winning, I’m such a bighead) (joke)
Some say my poems are simple
Others may think they are a load of poop
But let me SHOUT this loud and clear
I won’t be leaving poetry soup!
Contest: Why do you write poetry
Sponsor: Jerry Curtis
12~21~15
Categories:
placements, how i feel, poetry,
Form:
Free verse
It's with great sadness and a lot of discomfort that I write
about an issue that needs addressing and brought to light
Several poets have long known
about a poet whose cover is blown
and cheats by entering their own contests. That's not right.
What would you think of a poet entering contests of their making
and then winning high placements with names they are faking
That's stooping pretty low
I really wish it wasn't so
So I hope it comes to an end after this exposure and muckraking
*******************
It's not my intent to stir up trouble with this post, but in all good conscience I feel the need to inform all of you who write for contests that this has been happening for some time. This is not an act of bitterness or ill will, but if this poet reads this, know that if it doesn't stop I'll report you to TPS. I don't understand why a decent poet would do something like this.
Categories:
placements, poetry,
Form:
Limerick
On the edge of a shower beneath gray skies,
All the leaves are still with a sense of calmness
On this summer day, cooled down after the heat
The flowers wait for a drink, as birds chirp in the woods
If only everyone could capture this moment
Not a worry amidst nature’s granted peace
These are the times to capture while they last
These are the times to seek all to fill the soul
Like pieces of a puzzle, completing life with fulfillment
Only found in this bountiful creation granted to us
Years of pieces, moments consolidated in memories
These are the times
Heidi Sands
7/1/21
Placed with one of the 1st placements. July 2 Poetry Contest
Categories:
placements, appreciation, life, peace, time,
Form:
Free verse
GABLE’S ETERNAL LOVE
Frankly my dear, I don’t give a...
After all, my true love fell with wings!
No twig nor heifer could compare…
This screwball comic welcomed dawn,
dauntless in a restless time of war.
Fatter pockets than a king,
she raised two mill, on a war bond tour.
~ That’s my girl, my wife ~
My darling angel's final performance on earth.
Today, I watch her on screen, often without sound.
~ I know each word by heart ~
I want to see her red lips act,
her silent timing classic.
~ To be or not to be - fate chose ~
I lie my head upon her grave,
Neither Sylvia nor Kay console me.
Carole could not be upstaged.
~ My black and blue, blood so cold ~
1/11/2017
6th Place
Multiple Placements
Sponsor:Broken Wings
Valentine – Form D contest
Dramatic Monologue
Line 1: From movie “Gone With The Wind”
Line 7: “mill” short for million
Line 14: Lombard’s last movie: “To Be Or Not To Be”
Line 16: Wives after Carole Lombard
Categories:
placements, death, love,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
Not for the contest
No more do I despair
writing for contests with an off the wall theme
Those that want me to create a nightmare
from what was once a beautiful dream.
No more do I care
about Marvel characters who fight and kill
I'd rather spend my time writing silly limericks
for fun and honing a particular poetry skill
than worrying about meter and syllable tricks.
No more do I write
for contests where a sponsor forbids me to choose
how many spaces I indent each middle line
by someone who thinks they're a bard. No, I refuse
to write for a yobo whose rules constrict and confine.
No more contests
do I enter for judges who hold grudges and spite
or who offer friendship placements with a wink.
It's not fair to good poets who get N/A'd as a backbite
I've no more interest in participation with pen and ink
No longer care
to write for judges who give novel length instruction
Yes, rules should be followed, but not to such extreme.
It negates poetic license, serving as a poetic obstruction
making that contest sponsor, head of his or her regime.
No more writing
for those who prohibit adjectives and adverbs be used
or if the sponsor has never written in the specified form.
The power that some feel as a judge can be abused
while preaching about dos and don'ts from a platform.
Oh, spare me
from those who don't know the use of literary devices,
metaphors, proper grammar, and over doing alliteration.
To anyone who wants to enter contests, my advice is...
"Don't take a crown seriously. It will lead to abdication."
No more issues
to deal with sponsors who change their minds midway
through contests because no entries for the theme... bizarre,
and decide, without warning they have the right to say,
"I can do what I want." Who made them the contest czar?"
No blight is this
on judges who sincerely host, giving up their leisure time
to make PS a place where everyone can take an active part.
Those who appreciate good fun in free verse or with rhyme.
I applaud the fair-minded sponsors who have a good heart.
A few weeks ago, I decided to not enter PS contests any longer.
Categories:
placements, conflict, how i feel,
Form:
Rhyme
Someone inquired of me about poetry contests,
And I shared some thoughts and considerations,
The contests, I wrote, are an incentive to write
Learning about poetry’s forms and foundations.
Don’t enter a contest for an opinion of your work
For your very best will sometimes go unnoticed
Some sponsors recognize only what they like
Their credentials for judging are clearly modest.
I have learned which sponsors to take seriously
The ones I want to give my very finest efforts,
Knowing they recognize merit even if I don’t place
I’ve learned few sponsors* are actually experts.
Then, I cautioned, a few sponsors you must court
For they only give placement to their best friend
You’ll identify them right away, the **** for tats,
I don’t take them seriously for any poems I send.
The best poems I write are rarely contest entered
And I enjoy most the poems I write for me alone
So, remember you are writing what pleases you
And if you win a trophy for it, that’s a milestone!
If you enter my contests, I can assure you of this:
I carefully consider the merit of every poem I get
I don’t care who wrote it, whether friend or foe,
When I post my placements, then I have no regret.
[*including me!]
Written July 10, 2022
Categories:
placements, poetry, writing,
Form:
Rhyme
THE HAUNTED HOUSE
The dark shadows flicker, hapless waves crash —
against the abyss a lover’s hopes dash.
Latter years, melancholic, dressed in black,
arrival of the vampire’s curse - I’m back.
A Victorian castle with misdeeds.
I sweep the grounds. Small feet kick away weeds.
An imposing door knocker — my heart beats
stealing my breath...I faint as the door cheats,
opening by itself — wispy fingers,
like frost outside the house, the chill lingers.
Awaking to old decrepit beauty —
timbre of a music box on duty.
I pry at doors, webbed windows — none will jar.
I’m locked in with whispers and dust...no stars.
A heavy painting with traversing eyes
further freezes my blood — he resents goodbyes.
I know this, but why? Why?! Wind from the cliff —
I’m screaming...falling. Those ghostly fangs stiff.
Reminded, I trek up the long staircase.
It’s intrical railing like woven lace.
Hypnotic melody — the lover’s bait.
Face of gloom — at the precipice, he waits.
He sinks his lusty teeth into my neck,
throws me down frightful stairs. I’m at his beck
and call — his revenge for forsaken love.
Each night we kiss at the cliff and he shoves.
This castle of curses and vengeful ghosts.
Ever dusk to dawn, it’s nightmare I host.
8/15/2018
2nd place/multiple placements
Sponsor - Dear Heart
Contest - The Haunted House
Tribute to t.v. show Dark Shadows
Categories:
placements, dark, scary,
Form:
Couplet
You found me stranded on the shore
Reached out your hand to show me more
Your touch lifted me, out to sea
Taken by serendipity
A new smile lit flame to a wick
Light in banks of fog, densely thick
Currents moved with inspiration
As I embraced, each sensation
From then on, through storm’s wind and rain
An anchor helped me to sustain
Emotions brought color to sky
With steady mind and soul to fly
Heidi Sands
*Placed among 1st placements, Contest NO 465. Sponsor: Brian Strand
7/14/18
Categories:
placements, emotions, happiness, journey,
Form:
Rhyme
Sometimes my poetry is just a case of words,
and not necessarily my reality;
and that’s what is so beautiful about writing
You can be who you want to be on any level
and tell secrets about fantasies that may never be;
or take trips to other dimensions on mental journeys, or places that some don’t even think exist
They mimic thoughts that manifest themselves as poetry
and rest on pages patiently waiting to adhere
My words are a reflection of my heart
and they reveal the truth behind my mask of fear
they deliver reality doses whether they are just cases,
or me in the absolute right here
My words exude positive intentions;
my imperfections apparent but I accepted rejections
and reversed dejection
and decided to bare all my fantasies, my flaws my very soul
and temptations
Uncertain how voiced verses appeal to outside sources but internally they set me free
They provide a medium of light and creativity
A chance to apply knowledge and a time for reflecting on and making changes in my frequency
My words are attached to my soul and its overwhelming ability to just be
They reflect what I was before
the choices I’ve made and the reasons that this life is perfect
according to divine order
They represent the voices of my ancestors from the beginning of time
because up until now,
the ending wasn’t within reach so I make sure that I
carefully choose the format and the right place and time
to deliver the message that may be blatant or hidden inside –
of the abstract placements of verbs
giving praise to the source of power that calmly submits to the voice
connected to my words
I am the originator of my own words
I hope that you are inspired, or simply entertained
by the process by which I've placed my words
Categories:
placements, angst, art, beautiful, beauty,
Form:
Verse
I sponsored a New Contest
I knew that I could win
And entered it the first day
Then several times again
When others made their entries
I had to laugh at them
'Cause there's no way, in this world
That they could ever win
My entry was just perfect
It followed every rule
The spelling was pristine
Could be seen by any fool
The placement of each word
Was proper and precise
And all the rhythmic verses where
Short but quiet concise
But I have to say, "I'm fair"
Cheating’s never on my mind
So, Just to stay impartial
I like to judge it blind,
There's no way you'd find my name
At the bottom of the sheet
But it’s really kind of pitty
Since my poems got this beat
Well, I read through every entry
And I even read some twice
I rated them for merit
And thought some kind of nice
Then I posted all the placements
As I cried out “NOT AGAIN”
Although I thought my poem “Best”
Andrea Dietrich always wins
Categories:
placements, funny, humorous, satire, success,
Form:
Rhyme